fallS

continues on p.2

FALL 2015

the Poppy PrintQuarterly Newsletter of the Theodore Payne Foundation

Pho

to c

our

tesy

of J

Shi

eld

s

The Animated Garden

A monarch butterfly (Danaus plexxipus) sips nutritious nectar from the white urn-shaped flowers of Arctostaphylos glauca (bigberry manzanita)

tep into a California native garden, then stop, look and listen. Songbirds swirl and call.

Hummingbirds twizzle and peep. Lizards do push-ups on sun-warmed stones. Flitting bees – so many! – gather pollen for their broods. Butterflies land softly on nectar-rich blossoms, too quietly for our ears to perceive. The garden is alive with movement and music, an animated symphony of well-being, a place where nature can thrive.

We at TPF have found that many native plant gardeners cite ethical motivations for working in cooperation with nature. They want to heal and enhance the world and support natural systems by planting native flora that evolved with and are crucial to local fauna. Theodore Payne, a nurseryman by trade and a conservationist at heart, understood that motivation and the bond between native plants and animals. He consistently promoted the wildlife values of plants in his catalogs, writings and presentations. Today, we expand on and extend his efforts, helping gardeners to bring that extra element of life into their landscapes.

For example, TPF’s outreach and adult and K-12 education programs all emphasize the essential bond between native plants and native wildlife. We attend scores of outreach events each year with displays, demonstrations and information for nature lovers of all ages. Our milkweed and monarch displays are especially popular!

Many of our adult and family classes and workshops, taught by passionate staff and guest instructors, help people understand their garden visitors. On September 19, Jim Hogue shared his beautiful photographs and deep knowledge in his talk Insects in Native Plant Gardens, and he signed copies of the just-published revised edition of Insects of the Los Angeles Basin, a guide to insects and other small critters that visit our local urban landscapes. (If you missed this lecture, he’ll be back!) We offer free monthly First Thursday Bird Walks on TPF grounds led by Ken Gilliland, October through June. More than 50 species of birds have been found on our Sun Valley site!

Other classes focus on techniques to attract that lively element. TPF’s Director of Horticulture Madena Asbell recently debuted two new classes: Native Plants for Native Pollinators, to be repeated next year; and Habitat Gardening with Native Plants – the inaugural class included a monarch butterfly release; another session will be held Saturday, December 12.

On Saturday, November 28, I’ll be presenting Beneficial Bugs in the Garden (one of my favorite topics). And local bee expert

By Lili Singer, Director of Special Projects & Adult Education

fall plant Sale october 9-10 & 16-17 Details on page 10

Hartmut Wisch often astounds us with facts about and amazing images of California’s native bees – he’ll be back in 2016!

Lisa Novick, our Director of Outreach and (until recently) K-12 Education created a suite of grade-school programs with materials and lessons on ecology and plant/animal relationships, all geared to State science-based curriculum.

2 Poppy Print, Fall 2015

continued from p. 1

Pho

to ©

Wyn

ne W

ilso

n/B

rian

Leac

h

thankyouThe Foundation appreciates and values the following donations:

$15,000 Los Angeles Department of Water & Power

5,000 Michelle Mueller (in memory of Janet Mueller)

500 Snowdy Dodson, Andrew Kohler & Michael Koch

250 Peggy Brutsche

200 Richard Krafsur

100 Glenn Arakawa, Douglas Brown (Educational Facilities), Curt & Deb Hill, Donald & Kathleen Orth (Education), Jerrine Mitchell (Educational Facilities), Dorothy Shepherd

VeHICle DONaTION Ann Masterson

alSO Clarli Wilson: books from the library of Scott Wilson Inline Translation Services, Inc.: Spanish translation of TPF documents Lisa Beal & Leslie Miller: granite stone for demonstration gardens Hunter Industries, Ewing Irrigation and Netafim USA: irrigation for new gardens

We regret any omissions or inaccuracies on this list.To report these, please contact our office at 818 768-1802 or info@theodorepayne.org

She has also helped youngsters, teachers and parents install numerous public school native plant gardens that nurture butterflies and birds. Lisa’s talk, The Big Picture, has enlightened legions of gardeners to the role that native plants play in the health and survival of our planet.

Even the placards in the Theodore Payne Nursery and corresponding pages in our online California Native Plant Database feature information and icons indicating which plants attract butterflies, songbirds and hummers. Our free plant guides – available in the sales yard and online – include tips and plant lists for gardening with specific groups of local wildlife.

Yes, it helps that TPF staffers are all devoted to our flora and fauna! We spend our workdays on beautiful territory, 22 acres of canyon land studded with native plants and animated and shared by wild neighbors, including birds, insects, reptiles and mammals. We’re known to relocate rattlesnakes found in public areas to remote parts of the property; these shy reptiles control rabbits and squirrels that would otherwise feast on nursery stock! To offset damage (read deer browsing) and encourage natural predation, we maintain water stations for thirsty families of deer, as well as for coyotes and bobcats (and occasional mountain lion) that keep smaller animals in check. It’s all about a healthy balance and living within the larger landscape.

No garden is more alive than one filled with native plants. Plant natives and they will come! No special talent or experience required. Anyone can do this. Beauty, fun and a vibrant environment are guaranteed!

The red tubular flowers of Penstemon centranthifolius (scarlet bugler) attract Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna) and other hummers.

3Poppy Print, Fall 2015

BOARDSTAFF

The Poppy Print is the membership newsletter of the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the understanding, preservation and use of California native plants. The Theodore Payne Nursery and Store are open to the public year round. We offer classes and field trips for adults and children. Learn more about the Foundation and gardening with native plants at theodorepayne.org.

Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants., Inc. | 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352 theodorepayne.org | 818-768-1802 | info@theodorepayne.org

Executive Director: Kitty ConnollyDirector of Horticulture: Madena AsbellSeed Program Manager: Genevieve Arnold Nursery Manager: Tim Becker Production Foreman: Francisco Rosales Nursery Production: Nicole Greenfield, Elmer LunaNursery Sales Manager: Flora Ito Nursery Sales: Katherine PakradouniIrrigation Technician: Maureen TaylorDirector of Special Projects and Adult Education/Newsletter Editor: Lili SingerDirector of Outreach and K–12 Education: Lisa NovickManager of Operations and Volunteer Engagement: Andrew ChavesBookstore & Front Office Assistant: Kristen Greblo Bookstore & Front Office Coordinator: Diana Sherwood

Cassy Aoyagi, President Debe Loxton, Vice President Dawn Petersen-Amend, Treasurer Snowdy Dodson, Secretary Pamela BurgessEric CallowJeff Jamison Liz JohnsonJanica JonesMichael HamiltonDJ Peterson Stephanie Pincetl

© 2015 The Theodore Payne Foundation

Pho

to: K

itty

Co

nno

lly

from the president

A Vision Followed ThroughFor more than 50 years, Theodore Payne tirelessly promoted, preserved and educated on behalf of California wild flowers and native plants. And for another 55 years, the Theodore Payne Foundation has followed through on his vision.

Today, the Theodore Payne Nursery – a continuation of the enterprise Mr. Payne first opened in 1903 – provides retail customers with the greatest selection and quality of native plants in the County. Our Sun Valley grounds and gardens inspire gardeners with year-round beauty, color and fragrance. The Foundation’s educational programs have helped many gain the skills they need to weather the drought, while creating beautiful native plant landscapes. Our K-12 programs and garden installations have made schools throughout the Los Angeles region hum with birds and butterflies that nurture conservation-minded adults of the future. And our annual garden tour reaches farther and gathers more attention than ever.

These great successes are only the tip of an iceberg. We look forward with great optimism as new milestones abound with the near completion of the educational facilities and nature center. The new classrooms, demonstration gardens and parking (all ADA-accessible) allow TPF to achieve even greater impact and broaden the scope of our work.

With newly expanded and improved facilities, visitors will find the Foundation to be a regional destination for myriad unique experiences. Passive and active interactions with plants and nature will make for a day of learning and entertainment for all.

Programming with expanded capacity to serve adults, children and professionals will increase the number of native garden advocates, and foster resource conservation and job opportunities in the L.A. area. Outreach and communications will further inspire key audiences and help transform the public’s understanding of the importance of incorporating natives into gardens and preserving them in wild spaces. The Theodore Payne Foundation has been and will continue to be a one-stop source for all things California native.

Your ongoing support and generous donations bring to life the vision first championed by Theodore Payne and carry us forward as we strive to meet the growing demand for native plants and information. Help us make TPF a household name, a destination, a conduit that webs our wild spaces and urban corridors together and promotes healthier environments for each and every one of us throughout all our communities.

Cassy AoyagiPresident, Board of Directors

TPF Board President, Cassy Aoyagi, enjoying a shaded spot in front of the new Education Center.

4 Poppy Print, Fall 2015

MORe ONlINe THeODORePaYNe.ORG@

FALL 2015 events And cLAsses Register on-line at theodorepayne.org or by phone to (818) 768-1802 or in person at our Sun Valley headquarters.Visit our website, theodorepayne.org, for complete information on classes and instructors, and details on our Three-part California Native Plant Garden Design course.

Cancellation policy: No refunds for cancellations made within seven days of the class date.

The TPF Speakers Bureau offers presentations for community groups, garden clubs and public agencies.

Field trips and in-classroom visits for K-12 students are also available. Contact: info@theodorepayne.org.

OCTOBeRFirst Thursday Bird Walk with Ken GillilandThursday, October 1, 8:00–10:00amFree – reservations requested to info@theodorepayne.org. Ken’s popular bird walk returns after a summer break! Join a passionate local birder for an easy morning ramble on the Foundation’s scenic canyon land, where more than 50 different species of birds have been seen. Bring your binoculars, hat and water. Ken is an accomplished birdwatcher and avian artist (empken.com) and former TPF webmaster. Repeats first Thursdays through June.

California Native Plant Horticulture with lili SingerSaturday, October 3, 8:30am–12:30pm$40 members, $50 non-members The basics on gardening with California flora: why natives are valuable, about plant communities, plus planting techniques, establishment, irrigation, pruning and ongoing maintenance. Recommended for beginners; prerequisite to our Three-Part California Native Plant Garden Design course. Lili is TPF’s Director of Special Projects and Adult Education, an L.A. native and an award-winning horticulturist and garden writer.

First Saturday: Volunteer Day at TPF Saturday, October 3, 9:00am–noon Reservations requested to andrew@theodorepayne.org.Back from summer hiatus! Join the Theodore Payne Foundation family of volunteers to improve and care for our gardens. We will clear, clean, plant, mulch, prune and do other tasks to spruce up the grounds and show how beautiful native plant gardens can be. Bring hat, gloves, knee pads and other tools for personal use. TPF will provide shovels, trowels, rakes, loppers, hoes, pruners and refreshments. Repeats first Saturdays through June.

look, Ma, No lawn! with Steve GerischerSaturday, October 3, 1:30–3:30pm $25 members, $35 non-members Are you ready to lose the lawn? We’ll explain how to take it out and offer alternatives for the space – specifically low-care native plants that need no fertilizer and use a fraction of the water required for turf. Steve divides his time between lecturing and creating award-winning landscapes with his company, Larkspur Garden Design. He also serves as president of the Southern California and Pacific Horticulture societies.

Fall PlaNT SaleFriday & Saturday, October 9–10 & 16–17Details on page 10.

Four Seasons of Color with California Natives with lili Singer Saturday, October 24, 1:00–3:30pm$30 members, $40 non-members

Your native plant garden can be a seasonal showcase of flowers, seed, fruit and foliage. This program showcases trees, shrubs, vines, perennials and grasses that will ensure year-round color. For instructor bio, see October 3.

California Native Plant Horticulture with lili SingerFriday, October 30, 11:30am–3:30pmFor details, see October 3.

NeW! Beyond the Barrel: Practical Rainwater Harvesting with andreas HessingSaturday, October 31, 9:00am–10:30am$25 members, $35 non-membersWhen precious rain falls – and it may this winter – keep it on your property! This class offers timely sound advice on harvesting and using rainwater, including reservoir types, system requirements and how much you’re likely to catch, with helpful suggestions on what to water and why. Andreas is an artist and landscape designer and contractor (scrubjaystudios.com).

Wild by Nature: Sowing Seeds for Spring Wildflowers with Genevieve arnoldSaturday, October 31, 1:30–3:30pm $25 members, $35 non-membersIn Southern California, fall is the prime time for sowing wildflower seed in the garden. Our State’s famed spring-blooming annuals provide an array of colors and forms – and perform well in many garden spaces, from meadows to mixed beds and borders to containers. This class offers tips and tricks on soil preparation and sowing techniques, and an illustrated overview of the instructor’s most-beloved species. Genevieve is TPF’s Seed Program Manager and has worked with California native seeds for more than a decade. She enjoys the beauty of the native garden in all its phases, including the magical stage of fruit and seed development.

NOVeMBeRFirst Thursday Bird Walk with Ken GillilandThursday, November 5, 8:00–10:00amFree – reservations requested to info@theodorepayne.org. For details, see October 1.

Propagating California Native Plants with Tim BeckerFriday, November 6, 9:00am–noon$50 members, $60 non-membersLearn basic skills of vegetative propagation with TPF’s Nursery Manager! Various species of native plants will be started from cuttings or divisions in this hands-on session, and you’ll leave with a flat of new starts for your own garden! Limit: 8.

First Saturday: Volunteer Day at TPF Saturday, November 7, 9:00am-noon For details, see October 3.

NeW!

Fall PlaNT Sale

5Poppy Print, Fall 2015

NeW! Clay Seed-Sculpture Workshop with TPF artist-in-Residence ann PageTwo Saturdays, November 7 & 21, 9:00am–noon$60 members, $80 non-membersIn the first session of this easy art workshop, students will fashion a large native plant seed out of water-based clay using the coil method for construction, then smoothing the surface and texturizing or carving in details. In the second session, seed sculptures (now bisque-fired by the instructor) will be spray-painted with layers of color and sanded back to reveal hues and textures. Just for fun, class will include a video of using a 3-D printer to make a seed sculpture. No experience needed; all materials provided. Ann is TPF’s 2015 Artist-in-Residence. Her work has been exhibited nationally in private, museum and university galleries. She is a full-time faculty member of the USC Roski School of Fine Arts. For information on her exhibition at TPF, see page 6. Limit: 12.

NeW! acorn Crafts Family Workshop with Kat HighSaturday, November 7, 1:30–3:30pm$20 per solo adult or adult/one child pair members, $30 per solo adult or adult/one child pair non-membersFor adults and accompanied children (6 and up) – an American Indian craft and game workshop using native plant materials! Play a game with acorn tops, taste acorn bread and coffee, craft floating candles, refrigerator magnets and acorn buzzers! All materials provided. Kat is a Native Californian of Hupa descent. Trained by elders in Native American land management traditions, she teaches others how to adapt those principles to the modern world and offers environmental education as a traditional path through this time of climate change. Limit: 12 adults and accompanied children.

Irrigation Practices for Native Plant Gardens with Tim Becker Saturday, November 21, 1:00–3:30pm $30 members, $40 non-membersThis class for home gardeners discusses irrigation principles, techniques and equipment best suited for native plant landscapes – with practical examples and plenty of time for questions. For instructor bio, see November 6.

Native Seed-Starting Workshop with Madena asbell and Genevieve arnoldSaturday, November 28, 9:00am–noon$45 members, $60 non-members The ins and outs (and ups and downs) of propagating native plants from seed. This hands-on class covers: basic seed physiology, seed viability, germination cues and pretreatments; and sowing and aftercare. Each student will take home a flat of seeds they’ve sown. Madena is TPF’s Director of Horticulture. Genevieve is our Seed Program Manager. Limit: 8.

Beneficial Bugs in the Garden with Lili SingerSaturday, November 28, 1:30–3:30pm $25 members, $35 non-membersA healthy native garden includes a miniature menagerie of tiny insects and other creatures that keep pest populations in check. This richly illustrated lecture highlights helpful bugs you’re likely to find in home landscapes, with tips on how to attract and conserve them. For instructor bio, see October 3.

DeCeMBeRFirst Thursday Bird Walk with Ken GillilandThursday, December 3, 8:00–10:00amFree – reservations requested to info@theodorepayne.org. For details, see October 1.

First Saturday: Volunteer Day at TPF Saturday, December 5, 9:00am–noon For details, see October 3.

Native Plant Garden Maintenance with Madena asbellSaturday, December 5, 8:30am–12:30pmFor details, see September 19.

Traditional Uses of Native Plants with Nicholas Hummingbird Saturday, December 5, 1:30–3:30pm$20 members, $30 non-members An overview of native plants used for foods, materials and medicine, approached from an ecological standpoint and stressing the importance of these plants for wildlife, the earth and native cultures. Class includes hands-on activities, and examples of traditional plant uses, including baskets, instruments and regalia. Nick is an indigenous Californian. He is the nursery manager at the Arroyo Seco Foundation.

Propagating California Native Plants with Tim BeckerSaturday, December 12, 9:00–noonFor details, see Friday, November 6.

California Native Plant Horticulture with lili SingerSaturday, December 12, 8:30am–12:30pmFor details, see October 3.

Habitat Gardening with Native Plants with Madena asbellSaturday, December 12, 12:30–3:30pm$30 members, $40 non-membersBuild it, and they will come! Learn how easy it can be to attract a variety of critters – including hummingbirds, song birds, insects, reptiles, even salamanders – to your garden with California native plants. Get tips on how to maintain your native garden in a wildlife-friendly way, hear how to provide a healthy home for native bees and discover which native plants attract which pollinators. A portion of the class will be spent outdoors. Children 8 and up are welcome! For instructor bio, see November 20.

THRee-PaRT CalIFORNIa NaTIVe GaRDeN DeSIGN Choose one of these three-session series:

• Fridays, November 6 & 20 and December 4, 11:30am-3:30pm, with Steve Gerischer

• Saturdays, November 21 and December 5 & 19, 9:00am-1:00pm, with Andreas Hessing

• Fridays, January 8 & 22 and February 6, 11:30am-3:30pm, with Orchid Black

$225 members, $275 non-members$285 member couples, $335 non-member couples

This comprehensive course for home gardeners offers a sound foundation in design styles and processes, sustain-able landscape practices, and how to model a garden after patterns in nature. Prerequisite: our California Native Plant Horticulture class. Enrollment is limited to eight projects to ensure individual attention.

NeW!

NeW!

6 Poppy Print, Fall 2015

Ann Page is the sixth TPF Artist-in-Residence. Her work has been exhibited nationally in private and university galleries and in group shows in museums beginning in 1968. Since 2000, she has been a full-time faculty member of the USC Roski School of Fine Arts. In 2008, she introduced 3D rapid prototyping as a contemporary tool to the Fine Arts Department. The exploration of California native seeds and seed imagery is the focus of Ann’s Artist-in-Residence project. Her exhibition in the Theodore Payne Gallery includes drawings of large seeds floating in "galactic space" and rendered in charcoal and Prismacolor pencils, as well as sculptures of enlarged seeds created with 3D print technology and displayed in baskets to encourage people to pick them up and experience their textures and forms. Winged, Fluted and Reticulated refers to the textures and shapes of the seeds. Meet the artist at the opening reception, Saturday, October 3, 2:00-4:40pm. Refreshments will be served.Attend the Clay Seed-Sculpting Workshop with Ann Page, Saturdays, November 7 & 21. Enrollment is limited. Details on page 4.

in the art gallery

Ann Page: Winged, Fluted and ReticulatedOctober 3 through December 31, 2015Opening Reception: Saturday, October 3, 2:00-4:30pm with Artist talk at 3:00pm

2015 TPF Artist-in-Residence Ann Page

The Theodore Payne Arts Council is a volunteer group. Membership is open to anyone interested in art, nature and the Foundation. The purpose of the Arts Council is to serve as a standing committee to support the Foundation's mission to promote and preserve California native plants. The Arts Council holds annual quarterly meetings and members volunteer a minimum of 20 hours each year. To learn more, contact pamela@pamelaburgess.com.

Theodore Payne arts Council Janet BlankPamela Burgess, Chair Andrew ChavesBeverly Crist Weina DinataSnowdy DodsonJoan HarrisonVilma MendilloMichael MillerAllan Roman ReyesLaura Stickney

advisory MembersKristina NewhouseJohn Wickham

Fiddleneck (Amsinckia sp.) by Ann PageSubtractive charcoal and Conté drawing on Torinoko paper30” x 22"2014/2015

7Poppy Print, Fall 2015

seed room chaff

Encouraging Pollinators By Genevieve Arnold, Seed Program Manager

When I walk past my native wildflower patch on spring afternoons, the humming soundtrack of busy insects lets me know that there is important work being conducted in the garden: pollinators are fulfilling their role in the network of a healthy ecosystem.

If you have ever cultivated a wildflower meadow or even just scattered a few seeds in your garden, then you, too, have probably noticed that these plants attract a wide variety of insects. This is because the primary food source of most adult butterflies, bees and moths is nectar: the treasure that lies within a wildflower. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (xerces.com) states that: “providing wildflower-rich habitat is the most significant action you can take to support pollinators.”

California farmers are taking action. More than 100 pollinator-dependent agricultural crops are grown in California, and much of our cultivated farmland provides insects with only a monoculture habitat with limited bloom time. To improve pollination and yield, farmers are now using native wildflowers within hedgerows at field edges, in drainage ditches, in untilled or unused areas with poor soils, in fallow fields and as cover crops after the harvest.

Pollinating insects are extremely important to farms: many pollinators are natural enemies of crop pests and provide biological control, thus reducing the need for pesticide use. In addition, to offset the decline in honey bee populations, native bees are increasingly relied upon for pollination (California is home to approximately 1600 native bee species).

Native wildflowers being used in these sustainable agricultural landscaping practices include: Clarkia unguiculata (elegant clarkia); Eschscholzia californica (California poppy); Gilia capitata (globe gilia) and G. tricolor (bird’s eye gilia); Helianthus annuus (common sunflower); Phacelia campanularia (desert bluebell) and P. tanacetifolia (lacy phacelia); and Trifolium fucatum (bull clover). All of these are easy to germinate and seed can be purchased at TPF headquarters or through our e-store at theodorepayne.org.

To learn more about the relationship between pollinating insects and native plants and flowers, check out these fascinating books available in the TPF store.

Attracting Native Pollinators: The Xerces Society Guide, Protecting North America's Bees and Butterflies, The Xerces Society, Storey Publishing, 2011

Bees, Wasps and Ants: The Indispensable Role of Hymenoptera in Gardens, Eric Grissell, Timber Press, 2010

Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, Douglas W. Tallamy, Revised Edition, Timber Press, 2009

Caterpillars in the Field and Garden, Thomas J. Allen, Jim P. Brock, Jeffrey Glassberg, Oxford University Press, 2005

California Bees & Blooms: A Guide for Gardeners and Naturalists, Gordon W. Frankie, Robbin W. Thorp, Rollin E. Coville and Barbara Ertter, Heyday Books, 2014

An Introduction to Southern California Butterflies, Fred Heath with photos by Herbert Clarke, Mountain Press Publishing, 2004

The Seed Program appreciates its donors! We accept seed harvested from home gardens. See guidelines and donation form at theodorepayne.org/support/seed-donations/. Steve Bryant Asclepias fascicularis, Bloomeria crocea, Calochortus plummerae and C. splendens, Cuscuta californica, Coreopsis gigantea, Delphinium cardinale and D. parryi, Dichelostemma pulchellum, Fallugia paradoxa, Eremalche rotundifolia, Paeonia californica, Palafoxia linearis, Sphaeralcea ambigua (lavender form) andrew Chaves Eriogonum parvifolium Kitty Connolly Aquilegia formosa Jenny Garcia Abutilon palmeri Ken & Rhonda Gilliland Agoseris apargiodes, Berberis fremontii and B. nevinii, Helenium puberulum, Malva arborea, Prunus ilicifolia Marilynn Hildebrandt Prunus ilicifolia lynnette Kampe Juglans californica louise Olson Baileya multiradiata, Dendromecon harfordii, Eschscholzia californica, Justicia californica, Linum lewisii, Senna purpusii, Silene laciniata Doug Pollock Trichostema lanatum Pyre Aristolochia californica, Fremontodendron californicum, Lepechinia fragrans Kelly Schoonmaker & Nathaniel Parsons Heracleum maximum John Wickham Zeltnera (Centaurium) muehlenbergii, Clarkia modesta and C. rubicunda, Dudleya ingens.

Roger Klemm, Susan Steadman Seed-storage containers

Phot

o ©

Gen

evie

ve A

rnol

d

California farmers use Helianthus annuus (common sunflower) and other native wildflowers to attract bees and other pollinators to their fields.

8 Poppy Print, Fall 2015

fallfall garden care

What to Do in the Garden Now

PlaNT Fall is the best time to plant, as natives are ready to root and grow!

Don’t miss TPF’s FALL PLANT SALE, Details on page 10. Plant your new natives as soon as possible after purchase. Until planting, keep them out of the sun (dappled shade is ideal), and water, if needed.

Space transplants widely, according to mature sizes – your new plants will grow!

Before you visit, check our online nursery inventory, updated every Thursday at theodorepayne.org.

SOW Start spring-blooming annual and perennial wildflowers from seed. Try individual species, a combination of your personal favorites, or one of our custom seed mixes.

Also ready for sowing: seed for native shrubs, trees, groundcovers and cool-season grasses (individual species or TPF’s Cool Season Grass Mix).

Before spreading seed, clear weeds from the area to be planted. Rough up the soil surface, sprinkle lightly with water,and sow according to directions. Keep the bed moist (but not soggy) as seed germinates and seedlings become established. Most seed will germinate in 7 to 30 days, depending on the species.

WaTeR Deep soak summer-dry Fremontodendron (flannel bush), Trichostema (woolly blue curls) and native bulbs. Water summer-deciduous Ribes (currant, gooseberry); Salvia (sage, certain species, e.g. S. apiana, white sage, and S. leucophylla, purple sage), and Artemisia californica (California sagebrush); they will leaf out quickly.

Water established plants according to label requirements.

Get young plants off to a good start: Even the most drought-tolerant natives are not drought-tolerant until they’re established, which will take a year or more. During that time, new transplants need frequent attention and deep irrigation whenever the soil is dry to a depth of 3”– 4”. Be sure to check both the original root ball and the surrounding soil. Soak the soil thoroughly – never a little bit.

WeeD Cool-season annual weeds (e.g. chickweed, shepherd’s purse) sprout in autumn. Control seedlings with a hoe or cultivator – before they flower and set and distribute seed!

Use a trowel or Cobra Head (available in the TPF store) to remove deep-rooted perennial weeds (e.g. dandelion, creeping wood sorrel).

PRUNe For plant health and your own protection, keep cutting tools clean and sharp. Remove dead and broken branches from young and newly planted trees and large shrubs.

To renew compact growth, cut these back by one third to one half: Salvia (sage, shrubby spp. and cvs.), Encelia californica (bush sunflower), Eriogonum (buckwheat), Keckiella

Illustration by Maureen Taylor

Seed heads of Abutilon palmeri, Indian Mallow.

cordifolia (climbing penstemon), Malacothamnus (mallow), and Venegasia carpesioides (canyon sunflower).

In late November or December, cut old stems of Romneya coulteri (Matilija poppy) down to 2”– 4” stubs.

PROPaGaTe Come late autumn, divide Salvia spathacea (hummingbird sage), as well as Heuchera, Iris and other clumping perennials. Replant (or share) divisions as quickly as possible and water them regularly until new growth appears.

MUlCH A 3”– 4” layer of leaves, bark and wood fibers (fresh chippings are okay) or gravel or decorative rock will help conserve water, moderate soil temperatures and suppress weeds. Keep all mulches away from stems, crowns and trunks. Leave several large sunny patches mulch-free to provide habitat for very beneficial ground-nesting native bees and wasps.

leaRN Become a better native plant gardener; learn ways to conserve water, discover the wonders of habitat gardening or attend an art workshop. See our fall class schedule on pages 4–5.

PlaNT

SOW

WaTeR

PRUNe

WeeD

PROPaGaTe

MUlCH

leaRN

9Poppy Print, Fall 2015

Interpreting Our Nursery PlacardsThe plant placards in the Theodore Payne Nursery feature instant information and tips for gardeners and are essential to the Foundation’s educational mission. Knowing how to read the placards will help you select and combine plants. Here’s a key to what the various sections offer.

Botanical (Scientific) Name: The key to proper plant ID. Based on the Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California, Second Edition, 2012.

Synonyms: Old or other recognized names

Common Name: Descriptive and fun but can cause confusion, as more than one plant can have the same common name.

Plant Family: Plants in the same family share certain characteristics.

Top block: Special plant features, cultural requirements, garden uses, companion plants and plant-animal relationships.

Plant Type: What kind of plant it is: tree, shrub, vine, etc.

Sun exposure: Range of required sunlight for coastal and inland areas. Observe the sunlight in your garden at different times of day throughout the year, and match plants with those conditions.

Water Requirements: Frequency of watering for an established plant. Range reflects a plant’s tolerance and/or situation. Low = drought-tolerant to 1-2x a month; Moderate = every 7-14 days; High = more than once a week.

Soil Preference: This one is really important. Know your soil and choose plants that are compatible with your soil type. If you have clay or soil that drains slowly, look for plants that will tolerate “Any” soil.

Flower Season: Approximate bloom time – this can vary from year to year.

Flower Color: Pick your favorite hues or select colors for certain wild creatures (e.g. red for hummingbirds, white for nocturnal pollinators).

Deciduous/evergreen: Deciduous plants drop all or most of their leaves during particular seasons; evergreen plants hold their foliage all year.

Growth Rate: What to expect from a thriving plant. Based on annual growth rate guidelines set by the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute (www.ufei.org).

Height by Width: The size to expect at maturity, which will take one or more years. Be sure to space new transplants according to mature dimensions, leaving plenty of room for them to grow.

Growth Habit: A general description of a plant’s form and shape.

Cold Hardy To: The low temperature at which a plant could be damaged or killed. A concern for gardeners where frost is likely.

Distribution: Where this plant is found in the wild, with information provided by the Jepson Manual. If the plant is a cultivar or selection (with part of its name in single quotes, such as Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’), we try to include known parentage and who selected and introduced the plant.

Natural Habitat: Again, taken from the Jepson Manual. A plant’s natural environments – may include plant community, soils, geology, topography and elevation. Not applicable (N/A) to most cultivars and selections.

Circular Icons: Visual tips for plant selection and use. Most are obvious (butterfly, hummingbird, container, etc.). The mountain implies “good for erosion control.” The oak leaf indicates a plant that thrives under oaks or in dry shade. Gardeners with heavy soil should watch for the “CLAY” icon!

Using the placards, you can choose the best plants for your garden and create successful plant combinations, based on similar cultural requirements. May your native garden thrive!

nursery news

10 Poppy Print, Fall 2015

volunteer profile

Mercy LambertBy Andrew Chaves, Manager of Operations and Volunteer Engagement

Volunteers typically share common characteristics, such as flexibility, compassion, a sense of adventure and, most importantly, the desire to work and learn. Mercy Lambert is not an exception, and last year, we were lucky to have her join the volunteer ranks. Even though she maintains a very busy schedule, Mercy still manages to be one of our most active volunteers! Next time you’re at TPF, keep an eye out for her in both the Sales Yard and front office.

Have you always been interested in gardening? Yes! My love of plants began at a young age, as my mother always had a garden of some sort. At present, however, I do not have a garden of my own. Theodore Payne is the perfect place to get my gardening fix. What sparked your interest in California native plants? At the moment, I'm studying landscape design and am very much interested in using natives in my designs. Also, I discovered that many natives are medicinal! I have a big love for medicinal plants and would like to impart that knowledge to my future clients. Do you have a favorite California Native Plant? Fallugia paradoxa (Apache plume) because I love how, once the petals are gone, the stamens give the impression that the plant blooms two different types of flowers. So pretty!

How were you introduced to the Foundation and the volunteer program at TPF? A classmate introduced me to the Foundation. I went online and discovered the volunteer program and decided to join. It's a wonderful adjunct to my education in landscape design.

Which volunteer activities do you look forward to? I like tagging plants in the sales yard. I learn a lot about plant identification in that way. What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering? Join! The staff really knows their stuff, and they are more than happy to share their experience and knowledge of natives with you. You'll definitely learn a lot! What do you do when you aren't volunteering? I really enjoy teaching knitting to children and have been doing so for several years now.

What might someone be surprised to know about you? I can write backwards as fast as I can forward.

Pho

to: A

ndre

w C

have

s

Our biggest sale of the year—native plants for every corner of the garden with expert advice from TPF staff and volunteers.

Member Days: Friday & Saturday, October 9 & 10, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Members 15% off plants and seed; memberships available at the door

Discounts to all: Friday & Saturday, October 16 & 17, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Members 15% off plants and seed; Non-members 10% off

fall plant oct 9-10 & 16-17sale

11Poppy Print, Fall 2015

Would you like to help the environment, support native plants and make new friends? Then come to First Saturday, our monthly volunteer work day! We gather on first Saturdays, October to June, at 9:00am in front of the HQ building at TPF. Maybe you’re shy, like me. First Saturday offers the opportunity to get to know people with common interests, share experiences and get a little exercise, too!

TPF volunteers support the Foundation with many activities from office work to nursery to outreach. For more information about the volunteer program, go to theodorepayne.org/volunteer or contact Andrew Chaves at andrew@theodorepayne.org. Volunteer hours are rewarded with new friends, free classes at the Foundation and the gratification of helping preserve California native plants!

Blazing Stars are elite volunteers who have attained the skills and knowledge to act as the face of the Foundation, and have earned opportunities to work on unique projects with staff. To achieve this level, volunteers must donate at least 72 hours of time to the Foundation, attend at least two classes (including California Native Plant Horticulture), be nominated by a TPF staff member and attend the Blazing Star orientation.

archives, library and Bulb Collection John Wickham

New educational Facilities Painting Snowdy Dodson, Alan Duke, Lynnette Kampe, Allan Roman Reyes, Margaret Steele

Grounds Lynnette Kampe, Jon Joyce, Anna Muriello, Jack Schooley, Margaret Steele

Hollywood Farmers’ Market Carol Aronson, Mardi Caruso, Weina Dinata, Frances McAdam, Iain McConnell, Steve Singer

Outreach Brandi Anderson, Carol Aronson, Alan Duke, Curt Hill, Deb Hill, Jennifer Mercede, Allan Roman Reyes

l.a. arboretum Frances McAdam, Kathleen Orth, Duncan Sinclair

Office/Bookstore Nicholas Berkofsky, Lin Cher, Katherine Hashimoto, Deb Hill, Mercy Lambert, Barbara Quesada, Allan Roman Reyes, Margaret Steele, Julie Takayama

Sales Yard Ted Bruins, Paula Delfosse, Alan Duke, Joe Grant, Jon Joyce, Mercy Lambert, Kathleen Orth, Olga Palo, Pyre, Barbara Quesada, Sylvia Robinson, Jack Schooley, Allison Tokunaga

Seed Room Mardi Caruso, Conley Day, Petra Nichols, Louise Olson, Kathleen Orth, Margaret Steele, Kathy Tardy

celebrating our volunteersMaKing FrienDS tHrougH Volunteering

By Andrew Chaves, Manager of Operations and Volunteer Engagement

Pho

to: A

ndre

w C

have

s

Day 1 October 3 (First Saturday) Day 2 October 6 Tuesday Day 3 October 7th Wednesday If more days are needed:Day 4 November 5 Thursday Day 5 November 6 Friday Day 6 November 7 (First Saturday)

Open to All Volunteers! FALL PLANTING FOR NEW TPF GARDENSMore than 850 plants need to be in the ground by early November, so we’re coordinating this in shifts with specific goals to fulfill!

If you're a new volunteer and feeling apprehensive about this event, fear not!

Plantings will be led by TPF Staff, including Madena Asbell, Tim Becker, Maureen Taylor and Andrew Chaves, and veteran Blazing Star Volunteers.

Let us know when you're able to volunteer—we’ll provide breakfast-y snacks and drinks for you!

RSVP to andrew@theodorepayne.org.

Congratulations to the 2015 TPF Blazing Stars, initiated on September 5, 2015! Standing L to R: Dennis Gaudenti, Weina Dinata, Barbara Quesada. Seated: Snowdy Dodson, Kathy Tardy, Allan Roman Reyes.

insideThe Animated Garden… p. 1Encouraging Pollinators...p. 7Interpreting Our Nursery Placards...p. 9

Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants, Inc. 10459 Tuxford Street Sun Valley, California 91352-2126

818-768-1802 info@theodorepayne.org theodorepayne.org

Return Service Requested

lantsoF tHe MontH

OCTOBER Aristida purpurea – Purple Three Awn (Poaceae) A very ornamental warm-season bunchgrass with purple spring/summer seed heads that wave gracefully in the wind. Each clump reaches 2’-3’ wide by 2’ high. Prefers full sun and fast-draining soil; drought tolerant to moderate water; excellent erosion control; hardy to 15°F. Native to southwestern California. Songbirds appreciate the seed; barbed seed heads (awns) can be a problem with pets. It self-sows freely.

NOVEMBER Sisyrinchium bellum – Blue-Eyed Grass (Iridaceae) This compact perennial was introduced into cultivation by Theodore Payne. From California Native Plants, his 1941 catalog: "A charming little plant belonging to the Iris family with light green grass-like foliage and forming clumps often 3 to 4 inches in diameter. The plants grow 8 to 15 inches high and bloom in spring. The flowers are bright blue with yellow centers. Thrives best in heavy soil. Very pretty in borders and rock gardens.” Summer dormant, losing some or all of its leaves. Full sun to part shade; accepts all soils; drought tolerant to moderate irrigation. A widespread Californian from open, generally moist grassy areas and woodlands below 7200’; hardy to at least 0°F.

DECEMBER Ceanothus gloriosus 'Anchor Bay' – Anchor Bay California Lilac (Rhamnaceae) A dense evergreen groundcover to 1’-2’ high and 6’-8’ wide with lustrous dark holly-like foliage and spring clusters of tiny, blue honey-scented flowers. Introduced by Saratoga Horticultural Foundation in 1976. With coastal bluff parentage, prefers full sun and low water along the coast; part shade and occasional water inland. Accepts heavy soil; excellent erosion control; provides habitat for songbirds, hummingbirds and butterflies; hardy to 15°-20°F.

Prin

ted

on re

cycl

ed p

aper

with

soy

-bas

ed in

ks

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage PAID

Van Nuys, CAPermit No. 234

New

slet

ter D

esig

n: a

ndie

zel

nio

desi

gn

Pho

to©

San

Mar

cos

Gro

wer

sPh

oto

© K

en G

illila

nd

each month we feature a different species or cultivar and offer it at a 20% discount to members.

Pho

to©

Ken

Gill

iland